01's Dorm
We are Protas.
Born from God. Killer of them.
The stars are no longer a reminder of our creator.
But a reminder that they have died.
That will change.
We will… we… will…
…I forget… I… I can't see it clearly anymore…
Jasper: Jasper opens his eyes.
Jasper: A faint smell of citrus hits his nose as his vision is met with a vibrant, sunny shade of orange. It's… odd. Odd because he didn’t go to sleep in this room, but moreso that it seems so familiar. Like a childhood memory, boarded up and sealed away, unboxed right in front of him. But… that's too good to be true.
Jasper: He isn't supposed to be here. Why is he here? This isn't his apartment, not in the slightest.
Jasper: Getting out of bed, the anomalous scenery continues with its nostalgic, too-pleasant aura. So comforting and "his" that it seems like anything but. And what's that noise outside his door? It's a… slight stomping sort of sound. Just heavy enough to not be normal footsteps.
Jasper: If this isn't his room, then the rest of this place is also a mystery. Should he even open the door? What could be outside?
Jasper: …Well, it's not like he'll be able to stay in this room forever. Tail whipping with uncertainty, he walks towards the door, and…
Jasper: Swing.
Jasper: That's a gun. A robotic gun. Pointed at his face.
Jasper: He's too scared to move, but feels like his organs are scrambling inside of him to escape. Is this it? Is this the end of Jasper? Is he about to get blasted to smithereens!?
Jasper: Then, the robot speaks.
???: "I knew there would be someone in here, too. State your name. Occupation. Location. Now."
Jasper: And finally, the stone in his bones crumbles away. He jolts backwards like a scared feline, unable to even stay on his feet as he barrels to the floor, stammering. It's one of those high-end robots, too! This one surely wants him dead!
Jasper: "I'm– I'm J-Jasper! I'm a– programmer- I think– and I'm in a room! A scary room!! Please don't kill me!"
???: …
???: She lowers the gun.
???: "Understood. Then you must not be responsible."
Jasper: He stops covering his face, peeking out at her from his contorted, awkward angle. She… isn't going to kill him? And more importantly…
Jasper: "R…Responsible? For, uh, w-what?"
???: She stomps further into the room, right in front of the worried orange prota. Her eyes scan the environment… yes. Just like the others. This room matches its "owner".
???: Bending down, she offers a hand to Jasper. She watches as he… hesitates. They've all been scared of her. Of course they have. But he eventually takes her hand, as she responds.
???: "Responsible for bringing all of us here."
Jasper: 'All of us'?
Jasper: The robot pulls Jasper back on his feet, letting the realization of her words sink in.
Jasper: "There's… more people? Where are we even? I don't recognize this place, and– and–"
Jasper: He looks back at this room. It still looks so familiar…
Jasper: "Why is this room so me-like!?"
???: "Unknown," she responds, cold yet still warm. As she speaks, her mouth does not move, but the line on her collar flexes into a waveform. "But the other 16 rooms I have checked were similar to the people inside, in a way. Including my own. You are no different."
Jasper: His head tilts.
Jasper: "16 other rooms? So…there's seventeen people here?"
???: "Unlikely. One room remains that must be searched."
???: She turns around, her body stiff and focused.
???: "If no room so far contains the culprit of our arrival, then the last one must be it. Possible danger will be ahead. Please stay in this room until further notice."
???: The robot begins to walk out in front of him, door left open to show the blank, gray hallway outside.
Jasper: "W-Wait!" He cries. While the robot's head doesn't turn, she stops, antennae twitching.
Jasper: "Can I… help you investigate it? I'd feel nervous, just staying here, and… uhm…"
Jasper: What was he doing, saying that to a DonCorp bot? Surely it'd be fine alone, but… damn it, he doesn't like sitting in one place, not knowing. Surely, he could be of use to it… if it allowed him.
???: Sigh.
???: "You are a weak, fuzzy being who would die to a single strong hit. Are you sure you wish to accompany me?"
Jasper: "…Yeah."
???: "Then, fine. Come."
???: She immediately begins to walk off, as Jasper is left to stumble behind her.